The Great Gatsby: A vibrant but lacking experience

“I’m Gatsby.” Dazzling fireworks drape the sky behind Leonardo DiCaprio’s perfectly framed smiling face as the iconic Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” reaches its climax. In that moment, it doesn’t matter where and how director Baz Luhrmann deviated from our version of the novel. That face pulls it off the same way we’d seen it in our minds. The same cannot be said, however, for the rest of the movie. In the end, Luhrmann’s vision for the movie is much more … Continue reading

Food (or lack thereof) for thought

As an all-around Asian kid, born in Korea and raised under a Korean roof, going for two and a half weeks without a single bowl of rice was a pain unlike any other. At first, the difference is unnoticeable. In fact, it feels liberating to no longer have to take time out of a busy schedule to eat. But by Day Four, my stomach was the first to crack under the stress: It started feeding my brain with beautiful images … Continue reading

Selina and Her Harp

Senior Selina Her talks about the benefits and challenges of playing an unconventional instrument: the harp.  Q: When did you start playing the harp?  A: I started when I was seven, so I’ve been playing for about 10 years. Q: Why did you choose the harp in particular?  A: To be honest, I didn’t wake up one day and suddenly decide to become an angel. Yes, I am referring to the whole “You play harp? Where are your wings?” scenario … Continue reading

Roller derby: Not just a skate in the park

The sports played by students at a typical public high school are largely limited to conventional activities like basketball, baseball, tennis or gymnastics. However, sophomore Gwen O’Keefe not only plays a sport that is unavailable at school, but also one that is still growing. Roller derby is nothing short of a grand departure from the realm of ordinary sports. Growing up in her type of environment, O’Keefe may have been considered peculiar if she had not picked up the sport. … Continue reading

Break a bone, not the bank: Students commit to college teams, risk injury to finance their higher education

As most athletes substitute their education with sports once in college, seniors Jackie Ballin and Courtney Sharrah look forward to playing field hockey and soccer, respectively, on a collegiate level to not train for their future athletic careers, but also to enhance their college experiences. Playing on a college team was always the plan for both of the four-year varsity athletes. Although Ballin primarily strived for a soccer scholarship, her unexpected love for field hockey and her many accomplishments in … Continue reading